Hello and welcome to today’s edition of A Slice Of Soap. There’s still time to enter the caption competition so get scribbling and make us all laugh.

Is anyone safe from the global recession? Take cash-strapped ITV chiefs for example: rumours abound that they’re planning to cut star presenters and actors so what about the cast of Coronation Street? Well, they’re all worried, like the rest of the country, that their jobs are on the line too. And then there’s the Bafta-nominated actress June Brown, better known to us as Dot Branning, reports say she’s recently had some of her Enders scenes slashed because they can’t afford her wages.

The soap icon recently revealed to the Sun that the show is having to use more scenes involving cheaper, younger actors to survive the credit crunch. The 82-year-old told The Sun: "I’m not due back until May. It’s to do with the recession. They could afford 10 kids and five dogs for the price of me." A show insider said: "Using fewer actors per episode is the most effective way of making cuts, but it’s usual for actors to take a break."

The veteran of actress has seen her scenes dwindle following the departure of co-stars such as Natalie Cassidy, who played her step-granddaughter Sonia. June said: "Every time I get some family, they take them. Dot has nothing to do. That’s the problem."

Well, we all know what happens to people in companies that have nothing to do, don’t we? In fact, I wonder if that’s one of the reasons why the producers of ‘Enders brought Nast Nick Cotton back into the show? You know, to get rid of expensive soap stars? ‘Nasty’ Nick, with the help of his daughter (or little monster) Dotty, is attempting to convince his ‘ma’ that she’s going round the twist, with the aim of killing her for her money. But is ‘Nasty’ Nick really trying to kill his ‘Ma’ in order to save the BBC some money? Hmmmm. And it doesn’t end there…

Spoiler Alert! Apparently at the end of next month, Dot’s ‘beloved’ son is gonna lose the plot completely, while holding a number of hostages in Ian Beale’s cafe… as it burns to the ground! Now, could this be another way of getting rid of expensive soap actors (I really hope that two actresses in particular… both sisters… and related to Peggy Mitchell… are on their way out)? Anyway soapsters, let’s just hope that this recession doesn’t last too long. I know the BBC wants to save money, but I don’t want to end up watching solo-character episodes of EastEnders featuring Darren Miller telling us his life story about selling cars just cos the BBC can’t afford to pay their soap stars.

That’s it for me, I’m out of here. Join me on Friday for more soap news and gossip and the results of last week’s caption competition. Got a comment about your favourite soap, this blog or anything else? Share it with me.